Method of gaming, a gaming system and a game controller

ABSTRACT

A method of gaming includes: receiving an initiate play instruction from a player selected from a plurality of initiate play instructions; generating a game outcome in response to receipt of the initiate play instruction, generation of the game outcome including selecting a plurality of symbols for display in a set of display positions corresponding to a plurality of spinning reels set side by side; and evaluating the game outcome by evaluating the symbols at least two different combinations of display positions in accordance with at least one game rule, each combination consisting of one display position from each reel and the same evaluation being performed irrespective of the received initiate play instruction.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application relates to, and claims the benefit of priorityfrom an Australian Patent Application filed on Mar. 14, 2008, entitled“A Method of Gaming, A Gaming System, and a Game Controller,” withinventor William George Cormack, which is herein incorporated byreference in its entirety.

FIELD

The invention relates to a method of gaming, a gaming system and a gamecontroller.

BACKGROUND

In current gaming machines a player is required to specify the amountbet per line and the number of play lines the player wants to play, orin some games, the number of reels the player wants to play.

While such gaming systems provide users with enjoyment, a need existsfor alternative gaming systems in order to maintain or increase playerenjoyment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a first aspect, the invention provides a method of gaming comprising:

receiving an initiate play instruction from a player selected from aplurality of initiate play instructions;

generating a game outcome in response to receipt of the initiate playinstruction, generation of the game outcome including selecting aplurality of symbols for display in a set of display positionscorresponding to a plurality of spinning reels set side by side; and

evaluating the game outcome by evaluating the symbols at least twodifferent combinations of display positions in accordance with at leastone game rule, each combination consisting of one display position fromeach reel and the same evaluation being performed irrespective of thereceived initiate play instruction.

In an embodiment, the method comprises determining whether the symbolsat one or more of the at least two different combinations of symbolpositions correspond to a winning outcome entitling the player to anaward.

In an embodiment, the method comprises determining whether the symbolsat one or more of the at least two different combinations of symbolpositions correspond to a feature game trigger.

In an embodiment, the method comprises evaluating the symbols at thedisplay positions to determine whether a plurality of symbolscorresponds to a scattered winning outcome entitling the player to anaward.

In an embodiment, the method comprises evaluating the symbols at thedisplay positions to determine whether a plurality of symbolscorresponds to a feature game trigger.

In an embodiment, the method comprises conducting any triggered featuregame and evaluating the feature game to determine whether the featuregame corresponds to one or more winning outcomes entitling the player toan award.

In an embodiment, the method comprises making an award to which theplayer has become entitled.

In an embodiment, the method comprises allowing the player to gamble anyaward prior to making the award and determining whether to modify theaward based on the outcome of the gamble.

In an embodiment, individual ones of the initiate play instructions varyfrom other initiate play instructions solely by a bet amount.

In an embodiment, the method comprises determining the quantum of eachaward to which the player becomes entitled based on the initiate playinstruction.

In an embodiment, each one of the at least two combinations of displaypositions corresponds to a win line.

In an embodiment, each one of the at least two combinations of displaypositions is derived by combining selected display positions of aplurality of reels.

In an embodiment, the selected display positions are derived fromselected reels.

In an embodiment, the method comprises comprising evaluating all symbolcombinations available for the game.

In an embodiment, the method comprises evaluating all the win lines.

In an embodiment, the method comprises evaluating all symbolcombinations derived from selection of all the reels.

In an embodiment, the method comprises comprising an operator setting anumber of combinations of symbols to be evaluated.

In a second aspect, the invention provides a game controller for agaming system, the game controller arranged to:

receive an initiate play instruction from a player selected from aplurality of initiate play instructions;

generate a game outcome in response to receipt of the initiate playinstruction, generation of the game outcome including selecting aplurality of symbols for display in a set of display positionscorresponding to a plurality of spinning reels set side by side; and

evaluate the game outcome by evaluating the symbols at least twodifferent combinations of display positions in accordance with at leastone game rule, each combination consisting of one display position fromeach reel and the same evaluation being performed irrespective of thereceived initiate play instruction.

In an embodiment, the game controller comprises an outcome generator forgenerating the game outcome.

In an embodiment, the game controller comprises an outcome evaluator forevaluating the game outcome.

In an embodiment, the game controller is constituted, at least in part,by a processor executing program code stored in a memory.

In a third aspect, the invention provides gaming system comprising:

-   -   a player interface comprising:        -   a display; and        -   a game play mechanism operable by the player to select one            initiate play instruction from a plurality of possible            initiate play instructions; and    -   a game controller arranged to:        -   receive the initiate play instruction;        -   generate a game outcome in response to receipt of the            initiate play instruction, generation of the game outcome            including selecting a plurality of symbols for display on            the display in a set of display positions corresponding to a            plurality of spinning reels set side by side; and        -   evaluate the game outcome by evaluating the symbols at least            two different combinations of display positions in            accordance with at least one game rule, each combination            consisting of one display position from each reel and the            same evaluation being performed irrespective of the received            initiate play instruction.

In an embodiment, the gaming system comprises an operator interfaceoperable to specify a number of different combinations of displaypositions to be evaluated.

In a fourth aspect, the invention provides computer program code whichwhen executed implements the above method.

In a fifth aspect, the invention provides a computer readable mediumcomprising the above program code.

In a sixth aspect, the invention provides a data signal comprising theabove program code.

In a seventh aspect, the invention provides a method of transmitting orreceiving the above program code.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

One or more exemplary embodiments of the invention will now be describedwith reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the core components of a gaming system;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a stand alone gaming machine;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the functional components of a gamingmachine;

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the functional components of a memory;

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a network gaming system;

FIG. 6 is a further block diagram of a gaming system;

FIG. 7 is a flow chart of an embodiment; and

FIG. 8 is an exemplary game play mechanism.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to the drawings, there is shown a gaming system having a gamecontroller arranged to implement a game wherein the same plurality ofcombinations of symbol positions are evaluated irrespective of the betplaced by the player. As a result, in embodiments where the gameinvolves win lines, the same number of win lines is always evaluatedirrespective of the bet.

General Construction of Gaming System

The gaming system can take a number of different forms. In a first form,a stand alone gaming machine is provided wherein all or most componentsrequired for implementing the game are present in a player operablegaming machine.

In a second form, a distributed architecture is provided wherein some ofthe components required for implementing the game are present in aplayer operable gaming machine and some of the components required forimplementing the game are located remotely relative to the gamingmachine. For example, a “thick client” architecture may be used whereinpart of the game is executed on a player operable gaming machine andpart of the game is executed remotely, such as by a gaming server; or a“thin client” architecture may be used wherein most of the game isexecuted remotely such as by a gaming server and a player operablegaming machine is used only to display audible and/or visible gaminginformation to the player and receive gaming inputs from the player.

However, it will be understood that other arrangements are envisaged.For example, an architecture may be provided wherein a gaming machine isnetworked to a gaming server and the respective functions of the gamingmachine and the gaming server are selectively modifiable. For example,the gaming system may operate in stand alone gaming machine mode, “thickclient” mode or “thin client” mode depending on the game being played,operating conditions, and so on. Other variations will be apparent topersons skilled in the art.

Irrespective of the form, the gaming system comprises several corecomponents. At the broadest level, the core components are a playerinterface 50 and a game controller 60 as illustrated in FIG. 1. Theplayer interface is arranged to enable manual interaction between aplayer and the gaming system and for this purpose includes theinput/output components required for the player to enter instructionsand play the game.

Components of the player interface may vary from embodiment toembodiment but will typically include a credit mechanism 52 to enable aplayer to input credits and receive payouts, one or more displays 54, agame play mechanism 56 that enables a player to input game playinstructions (e.g. to place bets), and one or more speakers 58.

The game controller 60 is in data communication with the playerinterface and typically includes a processor 62 that processes the gameplay instructions in accordance with game play rules and outputs gameplay outcomes to the display. Typically, the game play instructions arestored as program code in a memory 64 but can also be hardwired. Hereinthe term “processor” is used to refer generically to any device that canprocess game play instructions in accordance with game play rules andmay include: a microprocessor, microcontroller, programmable logicdevice or other computational device, a general purpose computer (e.g. aPC) or a server.

A gaming system in the form of a stand alone gaming machine 10 isillustrated in FIG. 2. The gaming machine 10 includes a console 12having a display 14 on which are displayed representations of a game 16that can be played by a player. A mid-trim 20 of the gaming machine 10houses a bank of buttons 22 for enabling a player to interact with thegaming machine, in particular during game play. The mid-trim 20 alsohouses a credit input mechanism 24 which in this example includes a coininput chute 24A and a bill collector 24B. Other credit input mechanismsmay also be employed, for example, a card reader for reading a smartcard, debit card or credit card. A player marketing module (not shown)having a reading device may also be provided for the purpose of readinga player tracking device, for example as part of a loyalty program. Theplayer tracking device may be in the form of a card, flash drive or anyother portable storage medium capable of being read by the readingdevice.

A top box 26 may carry artwork 28, including for example pay tables anddetails of bonus awards and other information or images relating to thegame. Further artwork and/or information may be provided on a frontpanel 29 of the console 12. A coin tray 30 is mounted beneath the frontpanel 29 for dispensing cash payouts from the gaming machine 10.

The display 14 shown in FIG. 2 is in the form of a video display unit,particularly a cathode ray tube screen device. Alternatively, thedisplay 14 may be a liquid crystal display, plasma screen, any othersuitable video display unit, or the visible portion of anelectromechanical device. The top box 26 may also include a display, forexample a video display unit, which may be of the same type as thedisplay 14, or of a different type.

FIG. 3 shows a block diagram of operative components of a typical gamingmachine which may be the same as or different to the gaming machine ofFIG. 2.

The gaming machine 100 includes a game controller 101 having a processor102. Instructions and data to control operation of the processor 102 arestored in a memory 103, which is in data communication with theprocessor 102. Typically, the gaming machine 100 will include bothvolatile and non-volatile memory and more than one of each type ofmemory, with such memories being collectively represented by the memory103.

The gaming machine has hardware meters 104 for purposes includingensuring regulatory compliance and monitoring player credit, aninput/output (I/O) interface 105 for communicating with peripheraldevices of the gaming machine 100. The input/output interface 105 and/orthe peripheral devices may be intelligent devices with their own memoryfor storing associated instructions and data for use with theinput/output interface or the peripheral devices. A random numbergenerator module 113 generates random numbers for use by the processor102. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that the reference torandom numbers includes pseudo-random numbers.

In the example shown in FIG. 3, a player interface 120 includesperipheral devices that communicate with the game controller 101comprise one or more displays 106, a touch screen and/or buttons 107, acard and/or ticket reader 108, a printer 109, a bill acceptor and/orcoin input mechanism 110 and a coin output mechanism 111. Additionalhardware may be included as part of the gaming machine 100, or hardwaremay be omitted as required for the specific implementation.

In addition, the gaming machine 100 may include a communicationsinterface, for example a network card 112. The network card may, forexample, send status information, accounting information or otherinformation to a central controller, server or database and receive dataor commands from the central controller, server or database.

FIG. 4 shows a block diagram of the main components of an exemplarymemory 103. The memory 103 includes RAM 103A, EPROM 103B and a massstorage device 103C. The RAM 103A typically temporarily holds programfiles for execution by the processor 102 and related data. The EPROM103B may be a boot ROM device and/or may contain some system or gamerelated code. The mass storage device 103C is typically used to storegame programs, the integrity of which may be verified and/orauthenticated by the processor 102 using protected code from the EPROM103B or elsewhere.

It is also possible for the operative components of the gaming machine100 to be distributed, for example input/output devices106,107,108,109,110,111 to be provided remotely from the game controller101.

FIG. 5 shows a gaming system 200 in accordance with an alternativeembodiment. The gaming system 200 includes a network 201, which forexample may be an Ethernet network. Gaming machines 202, shown arrangedin three banks 203 of two gaming machines 202 in FIG. 5, are connectedto the network 201. The gaming machines 202 provide a player operableinterface and may be the same as the gaming machines 10,100 shown inFIGS. 2 and 3, or may have simplified functionality depending on therequirements for implementing game play. While banks 203 of two gamingmachines are illustrated in FIG. 5, banks of one, three or more gamingmachines are also envisaged.

One or more displays 204 may also be connected to the network 201. Forexample, the displays 204 may be associated with one or more banks 203of gaming machines. The displays 204 may be used to displayrepresentations associated with game play on the gaming machines 202,and/or used to display other representations, for example promotional orinformational material.

In a thick client embodiment, game server 205 implements part of thegame played by a player using a gaming machine 202 and the gamingmachine 202 implements part of the game. With this embodiment, as boththe game server and the gaming device implement part of the game, theycollectively provide a game controller. A database management server 206may manage storage of game programs and associated data for downloadingor access by the gaming devices 202 in a database 206A. Typically, ifthe gaming system enables players to participate in a Jackpot game, aJackpot server 207 will be provided to perform accounting functions forthe Jackpot game. A loyalty program server 212 may also be provided.

In a thin client embodiment, game server 205 implements most or all ofthe game played by a player using a gaming machine 202 and the gamingmachine 202 essentially provides only the player interface. With thisembodiment, the game server 205 provides the game controller. The gamingmachine will receive player instructions, pass these to the game serverwhich will process them and return game play outcomes to the gamingmachine for display. In a thin client embodiment, the gaming machinescould be computer terminals, e.g. PCs running software that provides aplayer interface operable using standard computer input and outputcomponents.

Servers are also typically provided to assist in the administration ofthe gaming network 200, including for example a gaming floor managementserver 208, and a licensing server 209 to monitor the use of licensesrelating to particular games. An administrator terminal 210 is providedto allow an administrator to run the network 201 and the devicesconnected to the network.

The gaming system 200 may communicate with other gaming systems, otherlocal networks, for example a corporate network, and/or a wide areanetwork such as the Internet, for example through a firewall 211.

Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that in accordance with knowntechniques, functionality at the server side of the network may bedistributed over a plurality of different computers. For example,elements may be run as a single “engine” on one server or a separateserver may be provided. For example, the game server 205 could run arandom generator engine. Alternatively, a separate random numbergenerator server could be provided. Further, persons skilled in the artwill appreciate that a plurality of game servers could be provided torun different games or a single game server may run a plurality ofdifferent games as required by the terminals.

Further Detail of Gaming System

Referring to FIG. 6, the player operates game play mechanism 56 to inputan initiate play instruction selected from one of a plurality ofavailable initiate play instructions. As described above, the game playmechanism can be in the form of a touch screen and/or buttons. In theembodiment, irrespective of the initiate play instruction that isentered the outcome evaluator 623 evaluates the same plurality ofcombinations of display positions in accordance with at least one gamerule 642.

In one embodiment, the outcome evaluator 623 will evaluate a pluralityof win lines specified by game rule data 641. FIG. 8 shows an example ofa game play mechanism 56 for such an embodiment. In this example, thereare 25 win lines evaluated. A player can choose between four differentinitiate play instructions by pressing (or touching in a touch screenembodiment) one of buttons 561,562,563,564. Button 561 corresponds to abet of 25 credits, button 562 corresponds to a bet of 50 credits andbutton 563 corresponds to a bet of 250 credits. “Play Again” button 564may be employed to initiate play using the previously placed bet again.

The outcome generator 622 operates in response to the player's operationof game play mechanism 56 to generate a game outcome which will then beevaluated by outcome evaluator 623. The outcome generator forms the gameoutcome by employing random number generator 621 to randomly selectsymbols from a set of symbols specified by symbol data 641. The selectedsymbols are advised to the display controller 625 which causes them tobe displayed on display 54 at a set of display positions. Outcomegenerator 622 selects symbols for display from a plurality of symbolsets corresponding to respective ones of a plurality of spinning reels.Thus, the symbol sets 641 specify a sequence of symbols for each reelsuch that the outcome generator 622 can, in one example, select symbolsfor display by selecting a stopping position in the sequence. In oneexample, three symbols of each of five reels may be displayed such thatsymbols are displayed at fifteen display positions on display 54. Toobtain a desired return to player, a probability table having weightedoutcomes is typically employed when selecting the symbols.

Outcome evaluator 623 evaluates each of the plurality of win lines todetermine which, if any, of the win lines corresponds to a winningcombination specified in the prize data 642A based on game rules. Forexample, the game rules may specify that all combinations are evaluatedleft to right or can be evaluated right to left or both. Depending onthe specific rules of the game implemented by the embodiment, theoutcome evaluator may evaluate the win lines to determine whether theyprovide a trigger for a feature (or secondary) game.

The outcome evaluator 623 may also make additional evaluations known inthe art, for example “scatters” where a player is awarded a prize or afeature game for a designated number of symbols, irrespective of whetherthey are on a win line. By way of example, the feature game may be aseries of free games, in which case outcome evaluator 623 triggersoutcome generator 622 to carry out a series of free games and outcomeevaluator 623 evaluates each of these games to determine any awards tobe made. Prize awarder 624 determines the quantum of the award to bemade from the initiate play instruction (e.g. based on the size of thebet) and the prizes are accumulated to a win meter stored as meter data643. Once all outcomes have been generated and a further game playinstruction is required before any further play can occur, credits aretransferred to a credit meter in meter data 643. In embodiments, where agamble feature is offered it may be possible, for example to seek todouble the accumulated win at the risk of losing it. In suchembodiments, it may be necessary for a player to operate the game playmechanism 56 to indicate they want to take an accumulated win or toinitiate a further play of the game before credits are transferred fromthe win meter to the credit meter.

Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that win lines are formed bya combination of displayed symbol positions, one from each reel, thesymbol positions being located relative to one another such that theyform a line. Examples of win lines are given in Australian patent 684195owned by Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty. Ltd.

FIG. 6 shows an operator interface 66 which is deployed in someembodiments to enable the operator of the venue at which the game can beplayed to configure the number of lines which constitute the pluralityof win lines. In this example, the operator can select between 4options, 661,662,663,664 corresponding to different numbers of aplurality of win lines offerable under the game rules 642. For example,6, 9, 15 or a maximum of 25 lines. In such embodiments, the game rules641 may default to the maximum number of lines offerable under the gamerules. In such embodiments, it may be desirable for the game playmechanism to be provided by touch screen buttons to make it easy tochange the text displayed to each player on the buttons.

In the above description it will be appreciated that the various of theabove functional modules are implemented by processor 62 executing codestored in memory 64. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate thatother embodiments are possible including dedicated circuits.

Persons skilled in the art, will appreciate that in other embodiments,the outcome evaluator may evaluate symbol combinations in a differentway. For example, in the manner in which outcomes are evaluated in gamesmarketed under the trade name “Reel Power” by Aristocrat LeisureIndustries Pty Ltd and described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,093,102. In suchgames symbol combinations are made by forming combinations from eachselected reel by combining it with all the selected positions of otherreels. In other words, all symbol positions of a selected reel can beused to form symbol combinations with designated, symbol displaypositions of other reels. This means that in embodiments where there arethree symbols displayed for each reel and five reels, there are 243different symbol combinations (35) to be evaluated by the outcomeevaluator (also known as “ways” to win). Thus in this embodiment, thegame rules 641 may specify for example the evaluation of 2, 3, 4 or 5reels irrespective of the game play instruction. This may beconfigurable by the operator in the manner described above.

The method 700 is summarised in FIG. 7 and involves receiving 710 aninitiate game play instruction, generating 720 a game outcome, andevaluating 730 plural different combination of symbol positionsirrespective of the initiate play instruction.

Persons skilled in the art will also appreciate that the method of theembodiment could be embodied in program code. The program code could besupplied in a number of ways, for example on a computer readable medium,such as a disc or a memory (for example, that could replace part ofmemory 103) or as a data signal (for example, by downloading it from aserver which results in the program code being transmitted from theserver to a gaming machine or computer which receives it).

It will be understood to persons skilled in the art of the inventionthat many modifications may be made without departing from the spiritand scope of the invention.

It is to be understood that, if any prior art publication is referred toherein, such reference does not constitute an admission that thepublication forms a part of the common general knowledge in the art, inAustralia or any other country.

In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of theinvention, except where the context requires otherwise due to expresslanguage or necessary implication, the word “comprise” or variationssuch as “comprises” or “comprising” is used in an inclusive sense, i.e.to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude thepresence or addition of further features in various embodiments of theinvention.

1. A method of gaming comprising: receiving an initiate play instructionfrom a player selected from a plurality of initiate play instructions;generating a game outcome in response to receipt of the initiate playinstruction, generation of the game outcome including selecting aplurality of symbols for display in a set of display positionscorresponding to a plurality of spinning reels set side by side; andevaluating the game outcome by evaluating the symbols at least twodifferent combinations of display positions in accordance with at leastone game rule, each combination consisting of one display position fromeach reel and the same evaluation being performed irrespective of thereceived initiate play instruction.
 2. A method as claimed in claim 1,comprising determining whether the symbols at one or more of the atleast two different combinations of symbol positions correspond to awinning outcome entitling the player to an award.
 3. A method as claimedin claim 1, comprising determining whether the symbols at one or more ofthe at least two different combinations of symbol positions correspondto a feature game trigger.
 4. A method as claimed in claim 1, furthercomprising evaluating the symbols at the display positions to determinewhether a plurality of symbols corresponds to a scattered winningoutcome entitling the player to an award.
 5. A method as claimed inclaim 1, further comprising evaluating the symbols at the displaypositions to determine whether a plurality of symbols corresponds to afeature game trigger.
 7. A method as claimed in claim 3, comprisingconducting any triggered feature game and evaluating the feature game todetermine whether the feature game corresponds to one or more winningoutcomes entitling the player to an award.
 8. A method as claimed inclaim 2, comprising making an award to which the player has becomeentitled.
 9. A method as claimed in claim 8, comprising allowing theplayer to gamble any award prior to making the award and determiningwhether to modify the award based on the outcome of the gamble.
 10. Amethod as claimed in claim 1, wherein individual ones of the initiateplay instructions vary from other initiate play instructions solely by abet amount.
 11. A method as claimed in claim 10 comprising determiningthe quantum of each award to which the player becomes entitled based onthe initiate play instruction.
 12. A method as claimed in claim 1wherein each one of the at least two combinations of display positionscorresponds to a win line.
 13. A method as claimed in claim 1 whereineach one of the at least two combinations of display positions isderived by combining selected display positions of a plurality of reels.14. A method as claimed in claim 13, wherein the selected displaypositions are derived from selected reels.
 15. A method as claimed inclaim 1, comprising evaluating all symbol combinations available for thegame.
 16. A method as claimed in claim 15 comprising evaluating all thewin lines.
 17. A method as claimed in claim 15 comprising evaluating allsymbol combinations derived from selection of all the reels.
 18. Amethod as claimed in claim 1, comprising an operator setting a number ofcombinations to be evaluated.
 19. A game controller for a gaming system,the game controller arranged to: receive an initiate play instructionfrom a player selected from a plurality of initiate play instructions;generate a game outcome in response to receipt of the initiate playinstruction, generation of the game outcome including selecting aplurality of symbols for display in a set of display positionscorresponding to a plurality of spinning reels set side by side; andevaluate the game outcome by evaluating the symbols at least twodifferent combinations of display positions in accordance with at leastone game rule, each combination consisting of one display position fromeach reel and the same evaluation being performed irrespective of thereceived initiate play instruction.
 20. A game controller as claimed inclaim 19, comprising an outcome generator for generating the gameoutcome.
 21. A game controller as claimed in claim 19, comprising anoutcome evaluator for evaluating the game outcome.
 22. A game controlleras claimed in claim 18 constituted, at least in part, by a processorexecuting program code stored in a memory.
 23. A gaming systemcomprising: a player interface comprising: a display; and a game playmechanism operable by the player to select one initiate play instructionfrom a plurality of possible initiate play instructions; and a gamecontroller arranged to: receive the initiate play instruction; generatea game outcome in response to receipt of the initiate play instruction,generation of the game outcome including selecting a plurality ofsymbols for display on the display in a set of display positionscorresponding to a plurality of spinning reels set side by side; andevaluate the game outcome by evaluating the symbols at least twodifferent combinations of display positions in accordance with at leastone game rule, each combination consisting of one display position fromeach reel and the same evaluation being performed irrespective of thereceived initiate play instruction.
 24. A gaming system as claimed inclaim 23 comprising an operator interface operable to specify a numberof different combinations of display positions to be evaluated.
 26. Acomputer readable medium including a set of instructions executable on acomputer, said set of instructions comprising: an initiate routinereceiving an initiate play instruction from a player selected from aplurality of initiate play instructions; an outcome generation routinegenerating a game outcome in response to receipt of the initiate playinstruction, generation of the game outcome including selecting aplurality of symbols for display in a set of display positionscorresponding to a plurality of spinning reels set side by side; and anevaluation routine evaluating the game outcome by evaluating the symbolsat at least two different combinations of display positions inaccordance with at least one game rule, each combination consisting ofone display position from each reel and the same evaluation beingperformed irrespective of the received initiate play instruction.